Foreign objects block drains, pumps

The City of Cape Town says its Water and Sanitation Directorate is actioning proactive efforts, including increased wet-well cleaning, general servicing and maintenance of pump stations, generators and related equipment, to help prepare sewer pump stations for the rainy season.

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This action plan was a fundamental reason for zero beach closures due to pump station failures during the 2024-'25 summer season.

The directorate manages 487 sewer pump stations across Cape Town, 102 of which are coastal stations located in areas such as Muizenberg, Hout Bay, Kommetjie, Simon's Town, Fish Hoek/Kalk Bay, Llandudno, the Atlantic Seaboard, Mitchells Plain, Melkbosstrand, Big Bay, Sunset Beach, Milnerton, Strand and Gordon's Bay.

During summer the City intensified its maintenance efforts to ensure the efficient operation of sewer pump stations, creating a safe environment for beachgoers across Cape Town.

Key actions implemented during summer include, firstly, proactively monitoring sewer-pump stations through a remote telemetry system at the pump station control room, supported by regular on-site inspections by pump station operators.